“No, not yet. I haven’t had much time to travel thanks to how hard I work, but I’ll get there one day.” She winced at the obvious and possibly obsequious wording. She wasn’t normally this uncouth.
“That’s a good reason, and one I admire. You’ve worked your way up the ladder, haven’t you? From poor roots to the next junior partner at the most prestigious law firm in Chicago. Impressive.”
There was something about the way Sheila said “poor roots” that made Marina want to step on her Manolo Blahniks under the table. “Actually, we were pretty middle class. Nothing unusual. But yes, I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and I won’t stop until I’m at the top of my game.” The statements didn’t work together, and she knew it as soon as they were out. Defensive and determined. Not a great combination.
Sheila nodded, her expression still impassive. “Don’t be afraid to own how exceptional you are. People who downplay their abilities get overlooked. People who demand to be seen as superior and show it in their achievements are the ones who get noticed and change the world.” She sipped her wine, looking at Marina intently over the glass as her other hand slid across the table and stroked Marina’s. “Be seen as the powerhouse you are.”
Marina shivered and gave a small smile before sipping her own wine.Shit and firecrackers.She wasn’t attracted to this woman in the least. She liked her women with short hair, short nails, and a bit rough around the edges. Like River. She shoved that thought away.
Thankfully, the waiter set down the tray of oysters so Marina could withdraw her hand. The seafood glimmered like oily slicked slime under the soft lights, and Marina’s gag reflex kicked in when she got a whiff of brine.
Sheila took a tiny fork, slid it under the meaty bit and lifted it away. Then she squeezed some lemon on it and lifted it toward Marina. “To a night of interesting flavors.” She tipped it into her mouth, sliding it in, and then chewed, her eyes fluttering closed as she made a sound of appreciation.
Marina swallowed hard against the bile and discomfort.You can do this. It’s just weird food.She imitated what Sheila had done and steeled herself as the oyster slid onto her tongue. She chewed, her eyes watering at the revolting feel of it in her mouth and then dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. “Delicious.”
Sheila nodded her approval and took another. “I’m aware I’m not the type you’re usually attracted to. But I find you intoxicating.”
Marina took a moment to delicately swirl the wine in her mouth to get rid of the brine taste. “You’ve been doing some cyberstalking.” Granted, she hadn’t posted any photos online ofher with anyone for at least two years now, but there were some from before she decided relationships were just a nuisance, if someone wanted to look back that far.
Sheila gave a delicate shrug. “I like to understand where my competition lies and what obstacles I may need to surmount to get what I want.” She tilted her glass toward Marina. “And I want you.”
There didn’t seem to be any question or interest in the fact that she wasn’t what Marina might want. “I appreciate your directness, but dating a client would get me fired. We have a strict policy about it at the firm, and I’m already working for you. I hope you can understand. I don’t want to jeopardize our professional relationship or what I can do for your company in any way.”
Thank fuck it was true and she didn’t have to tell Sheila she simply wasn’t into her. She had a feeling that would go badly.
Sheila’s lips pressed together and her eyes hardened for a moment, and then she gave that little shrug again, the one that eloquently said she didn’t give a fuck what other people wanted. “Very well. We’ll take it slow and when the time comes, I’ll discuss it with your bosses myself to make certain there’s no fallout.”
“That’s really not?—”
“Marina.” Sheila once again took her hand in her claw-like grip. “I have no doubt we would make an electric couple. You’re truly stunning, and I find women with intense ambition a kind of aphrodisiac. I appreciate that you’ll toe the line with your firm regardless of your true desires, and it bodes well for our working relationship as well as our personal one. For now, we’ll simply get to know each other. After that?” She picked up another oyster and placed a heap of cocktail sauce on it. “Like I said. I always get what I want.”
Marina shuddered and rubbed at the goosebumps on her arms. Her rhetoric was too similar to that of a guy who wouldn’t take no for an answer. But she was a client, Marina’s most important one, and she couldn’t blow this. Instead, she put on her mask and did what she did best: she started asking questions.
Unsurprisingly, Sheila liked talking about herself and was happy to answer every follow-up question Marina asked. Time passed quickly as she talked about her time growing up, traveling Europe, starting her first business, and how she climbed her way to the top. When Marina hid a yawn behind her hand, Sheila grinned.
“I should take you home.” At Marina’s quick glance, she laughed. “To sleep. You’re clearly tired, and I’ll be keeping you busy tomorrow.”
As they walked to the elevator, Sheila put her hand on the base of Marina’s back in a proprietary way that made Marina wince. Outside, Marina took a step back. “Thank you so much for tonight. I’m going to walk home and get some fresh air before I turn in for the night. Plenty to think about…” Shit. Why did she say that? Now Sheila would think she was thinking about her. And she would be, but not in that way.
Sheila’s perfectly manicured eyebrow rose a fraction. “Running away from the big bad wolf? Very well. Have lovely dreams.” She leaned in and kissed Marina’s cheek. “I know I will.”
She handed the valet a tip and then got in and drove off, leaving Marina standing in the cooler night air. She blew out a long breath and looked at the sky.
“Can I call you a taxi?” the valet asked. His neutral tone suggested he was probably used to this kind of situation, which wasn’t surprising given the nature of the clientele.
“Please.” She was far too tired to walk home, despite her lame excuse. As she waited for the taxi, she pondered how she was going to avoid this particular bear trap while still making the most of dancing with the bear.Maybe I should get River to tell my future.She snorted at the thought, making the valet glance over. The only person to have control over her future was herself, and she’d never,ever, let that change.
CHAPTER 10
“Whore!”
River swore as Marjorie screamed in her face, waking her just as the sun sent terracotta-tinged ribbons of light through the bedroom window. “Damn it, Marjorie. You’ve got to cut that out. If you don’t, I’ll find a way to send you to the afterlife, I swear it.”
She tossed aside the covers and glared at Marjorie’s ghost, which faded against the backdrop of sunlight until she was barely a strangely placed shadow.
The smell of something burning woke her fully, and she moved through the house trying to find the source. In the kitchen, the coffee pot was on but nothing was in it, meaning there was a black, burned layer on the bottom of the glass. “Come on, Marj. What’s gotten into you?”
She jerked the pot out and set it in the sink. So much for her morning coffee. Why could ghosts mess with power buttons anyway?
